Ultrasound device for probe guidance and sterilizable shield for same
First Claim
1. A single-use sterilizable shield comprising a first section, a second section and a fastener for connecting the first section and the second section to one another, the fastener comprising a tab configured to be permanently broken upon disconnection and separation of the first section and the second section from one another, the single-use sterilizable shield comprising a probe guide, the single-use sterilizable shield comprising a skin contacting surface that defines an opening therethrough, the opening being a terminus of the probe guide, the skin contacting surface comprising a first portion defining a first plane and a second portion defining a second plane, the first portion and the second portion being contiguous, the first portion and the second portion both being configured to contact the skin of a subject during an ultrasound procedure on the subject, the first plane and the second plane intersecting one another to define an angle therebetween that is greater than about 150°
- and less than 180°
, the angle being determined between the first and second portions of the skin contacting surface and external to the shield.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are medical probe devices and methods for use guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The probe devices include an ultrasound transducer housing having a passage therethrough configured to accommodate a probe. The devices can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a percutaneous target with real time visualization of the probe during the procedure. In addition, the devices can include a sterilizable shield including a sterile probe guide such that the transducer housing itself can be separated from a subject by a sterile barrier. The sterilizable shield can be a single-use shield that can prevent contamination and re-use of the shield. The devices can define a beneficial geometry conducive to use by a single operator that can be utilized for percutaneous targets near the skin surface and can enable excellent contact between the device and the skin surface of a subject.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A single-use sterilizable shield comprising a first section, a second section and a fastener for connecting the first section and the second section to one another, the fastener comprising a tab configured to be permanently broken upon disconnection and separation of the first section and the second section from one another, the single-use sterilizable shield comprising a probe guide, the single-use sterilizable shield comprising a skin contacting surface that defines an opening therethrough, the opening being a terminus of the probe guide, the skin contacting surface comprising a first portion defining a first plane and a second portion defining a second plane, the first portion and the second portion being contiguous, the first portion and the second portion both being configured to contact the skin of a subject during an ultrasound procedure on the subject, the first plane and the second plane intersecting one another to define an angle therebetween that is greater than about 150°
- and less than 180°
, the angle being determined between the first and second portions of the skin contacting surface and external to the shield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- and less than 180°
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10. A method for guiding a probe to a percutaneous target comprising:
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seating an ultrasound transducer housing within a first section of a sterilizable shield, the ultrasound transducer housing including an ultrasound transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic beam and receiving reflections of the ultrasonic beam; aligning a second section of the sterilizable shield with the first section of the sterilizable shield, wherein the second section of the sterilizable shield encloses a portion of the ultrasound transducer housing, the sterilizable shield comprising a skin contacting surface, the skin contacting surface comprising a first portion defining a first plane and a second portion defining a second plane, the first portion and the second portion being contiguous, the first plane and the second plane intersecting one another to define an angle therebetween that is greater than about 150° and
less than 108°
, the angle being determined between the first and second portions of the skin contacting surface and external to the shield;fastening the first and second sections of the sterilizable shield to one another by use of a single-use fastener to enclose at least that portion of the ultrasound transducer housing that includes the ultrasound transducer within the sterilizable shield; locating the first portion and the second portion of the skin contacting surface adjacent to the skin of a subject; guiding a probe defining a probe tip such that the probe tip arrives at the percutaneous target; and disassembling the first section and the second section from one another, wherein the single-use fastener comprises a tab that is permanently broken upon the disassembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification